Tariana ready to march again

Dame Tariana Turia, set to march again.

Former Maori Party co-leader Dame Tariana Turia is threatening to march to Parliament again.

Dame Tariana has spoken at a number of hui recently about her concerns regarding the Children, Young Persons and their Families legislation currently before Parliament.

She is concerned the proposed amendments give CYPFS the legal power to determine who will raise Maori children who have been uplifted from family.

Under current legislation CYPFS must look to the extended whanau and hapu to place the children. She says that will change under the new proposals.

Dame Tariana said the legislation cannot be allowed to proceed and if need be she would march.

"If we can walk for our land, if we can walk for our foreshore, we can certainly act for our tamariki," she said.

The Bill has been referred to select committee and the deadline for submissions on the Bill is February 15.